Habakkuk 2:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, [which] made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For the violence done to the L'vanon will overwhelm you, and the destruction of the wild animals will terrify you; because of the bloodshed and violence done to the land, the city and all who live there.'"

Berean Standard Bible:

For your violence against Lebanon will overwhelm you, and the destruction of animals will terrify you, because of your bloodshed against men and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers.

American Standard Version:

For the violence done to Lebanon shall cover thee, and the destruction of the beasts, which made them afraid; because of men’s blood, and for the violence done to the land, to the city and to all that dwell therein.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For the violence^{H2555} of Lebanon^{H3844} shall cover^{H3680} thee, and the spoil^{H7701} of beasts^{H929}, which made them afraid^{H2865}, because of men's^{H120} blood^{H1818}, and for the violence^{H2555} of the land^{H776}, of the city^{H7151}, and of all that dwell^{H3427} therein.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Habakkuk 2:17

Habakkuk 2:17 is a verse from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk, which is part of the Nevi'im (Prophets) in the Hebrew Bible and the Protestant Christian Old Testament. The book is a prophetic oracle that addresses the issue of theodicy—the justice of God in the face of evil and suffering. Habakkuk lived during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, around the late 7th century BCE, just before the Babylonian exile.

In the verse, "For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, [which] made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein," the prophet is pronouncing a judgment against the violence and injustice that have permeated the land. Lebanon, known for its majestic forests, is used metaphorically to represent the once proud and lofty nation of Judah, which has now been reduced to violence and plunder. The reference to "the spoil of beasts" suggests that the land has become so lawless and brutal that even animals are victims of the violence, which is a consequence of human sin and bloodshed.

The historical context of this verse reflects the chaotic and immoral state of Judah before the Babylonian conquest. The people had turned away from God's laws, engaging in idolatry, social injustice, and violence. Habakkuk is lamenting over the moral decay and warning that such actions will lead to divine judgment. The violence mentioned in the verse is not just a physical act but also a symbol of the broader social and religious apostasy of the time.

In summary, Habakkuk 2:17 speaks to the themes of divine retribution and the consequences of sin. It uses powerful imagery to illustrate the extent of the moral decline in Judah and foretells the coming judgment that will cover the land like a blanket, affecting everyone from the highest echelons of society to the animals in the forest. The verse serves as a stark warning that God's justice ultimately prevails, and nations that perpetuate violence and disregard divine law will face dire consequences.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2555
   There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָמָס
   Transliteration: châmâç
   Pronunciation: khaw-mawce'
   Description: from חָמַס; violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain; cruel(-ty), damage, false, injustice, [idiom] oppressor, unrighteous, violence (against, done), violent (dealing), wrong.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3844
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לְבָנוֹן
   Transliteration: Lᵉbânôwn
   Pronunciation: leb-aw-nohn'
   Description: from לְבַב; (the) white mountain (from its snow); Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine; Lebanon.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3680
   There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּסָה
   Transliteration: kâçâh
   Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7701
   There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֹׁד
   Transliteration: shôd
   Pronunciation: shode
   Description: or שׁוֹד; (Job 5:21), from שׁוּד; violence, ravage; desolation, destruction, oppression, robbery, spoil(-ed, -er, -ing), wasting.
   
5. Strong's Number: H929
   There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּהֵמָה
   Transliteration: bᵉhêmâh
   Pronunciation: be-hay-maw'
   Description: from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective); beast, cattle.
   
6. Strong's Number: H2865
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָתַת
   Transliteration: châthath
   Pronunciation: khaw-thath'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear; abolish, affright, be (make) afraid, amaze, beat down, discourage, (cause to) dismay, go down, scare, terrify.
   
7. Strong's Number: H120
   There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָדָם
   Transliteration: ʼâdâm
   Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
   Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1818
   There are 295 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּם
   Transliteration: dâm
   Pronunciation: dawm
   Description: from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood); blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent.
   
9. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
10. Strong's Number: H7151
    There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קִרְיָה
    Transliteration: qiryâh
    Pronunciation: kir-yaw'
    Description: from קָרָה in the sense of flooring, i.e.; building; a city; city.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3427
    There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָשַׁב
    Transliteration: yâshab
    Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.